A Brief Friday Round Up
Aug 8th, 2014 by 'holic
A long week has passed, and in truth has there been much concrete news to comment on? The only thing you can say with any certainty tonight (Friday) is that we will face Besiktas in the Champions League qualifier. On the face of it the draw has been kind, but are there any easy games in Turkey these days? There is a nice little sub-plot to the fixture with former young Gunner, Oggy Ozyakup, set to play against the club who sold him to Besiktas two years ago. Perhaps it is wise to introduce a note of caution. The Turks qualified with a 5-2 aggregate thumping of Feyenoord. Enough of a warning against any complacency, surely.
There have been no further major additions to the squad this week and the boss appeared to rule out a move for Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira, although it is hard to believe that any links were entirely orchestrated by the player’s agent in this particular instance. Further activity is anticipated, both in and out. I couldn’t help but smile when I read reports, as yet unconfirmed, that we had accepted a smaller offer from Barcelona than Manchester United for Thomas Vermaelen. Having said that the Catalans, unlike the Lancastrians, are rivals in Europe this season…
Moving swiftly on. Those who attended, and remember (yes, I saw the tweets!) yesterday’s Members Day at Arsenal seem well pleased with the entertainment provided, either at the stadium or in a local hostelry or two afterwards. The Junior Gunners in particularly were well looked after, and some enjoyed taking on their idols on the pitch as can be seen below. Thank you to Arsenal for sharing the images of the day.
All of which leaves the preview of Sunday’s Community Shield encounter with Manchester City until tomorrow. There is some talk tonight of Bacary Sagna not featuring for his new club. We shall see.
Have a fabulous Saturday, all.
64 Responses to “A Brief Friday Round Up”
Let’s rock!
Who’s the owner of the armband now?
Rambo or PerMer?
Arteta, surely, SSY.
Once Arteta leaves next season Per.
Let Rambo become the best box-t-box in the world first. Captaincy can wait. 🙂
Yet again I find myself falling foul of the chevrons…
As I was saying earlier, The monks snap scouting report on Besiktas: Tough to break down. Only lost six league games last season, giving up 33 goals in 34 games. But found it difficult to find the net themselves: just 53 goals scored. Have brought in two other forwards as well as Ba to address that. But we should still have enough to win both legs.
Good round-up ‘holic and hello to you and esteemed members of the bar!
Share the sentiment about manure and TV — hilarious really. Times are a changing — a successful summer and we’re well set for a rollicking season…
Yes, Doctor F. I know Arteta is next in line, but captaincy should be given to someone who will play constantly and I don’t see Mikel playing for 9 months.
No way.
Nice one Holic.
Finding it quite hilarious that Pelligrini suggests Lampard cost nothing thus (the signing) has nothing to do with FFP.
Once the Arabs buy every club everywhere then he might be right.
Cheers H!
Evening, Holic ?
A new post ? 😉
Indeed, zico.
UEFA should include in City’s spending the entire cost of buying New York City (or whoever) which facilitated the loan deal.
Nice one H.
The oilers must be destroyed.
Nice one Guv. The Oilers must be negotited with physical injury. The Chariyy Shield a trophy, pffft. A possible stuffing by the lihht blues serious psychological damage, pffft.
A win on Sunday woukd be a nice resukt to out away and warm ourselves upon in dark dsys to come. It ain’t going to happen – the nice redukt, or the dark days? You decide.
COYG
The truthful matter, gunners, please dont try to worry yourselves. We are winning more than four trophies next season. Its not my guess, its a fact.
Cheers guv.
As you said h, al a bit of a lull until the overblown friendly. If the weather on Sunday is anything like it is now in the capital then those going will need their Wellies. It’s hammering down.
Interesting comments from Le Boss re our German trip. For everyone and especially for Oskar I give you his comments..
Arsène Wenger says Arsenal’s World Cup winning trio will not be ready to play in Arsenal’s first game of the Premier League season.
Germany internationals Mesut Ozil, Lukas Podolski and Per Mertesacker are due to return to training on Monday, five days before the Gunners take on Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium.
Wenger, who confirmed his Community Shield squad will be similar to last weekend’s Emirates Cup line-up, says the German trio will only reintegrate with the squad when they are completely ready.
You get them back very quickly and you lose them in October, or you give them a needed rest to build them up again
“It’s not ideal but the final of the World Cup was on July 13 and when they went back to Germany, they lost a few days for celebrations,” said Wenger.
“They played seven games at the World Cup [in addition to] the whole English season. Having the experience of a team that has won the World Cup [always] makes it difficult mentally to come back and be sharp and hungry straight away again.
“You have the choice – you get them back very quickly and you lose them in October, or you give them a needed rest to build them up again.
3 weeks until the end of the transfer window and I’m with Frank Mclintock. I still think we are 3 quality players short. Here’s hoping that we really can pull off the deals that will make the difference.
Enjoy people, and don’t forget your waterproofs.
German trio even………
Steve T – saw Arsene’s comments too. I’m glad we are not rushing them back because we are in this for the long haul. Wouldn’t it be great for everyone to stay healthy this season?
I’ll also say it again, if we can’t beat Palace without our German trio, we have serious problems with the squad.
Mollycoddling, Steve T. With more signings expected we look like having sufficient cover to risk starting with our best XI. And if we have to, we can play the cover later. The alternative, to start the cover and have the stars take over when they’re fully ‘recovered’ from their strenuous holidays looks like six of one and a half-dozen of the other to me.
I mean, what exactly is preventing Poldi from being ready, fit and able to face Palace? The extremely taxing 54 minutes he played in Brazil????
Due respect to AW but he’s being blackmailed, imo.
Öskar
For the record Sanchez and Campbell played practically as many minutes as Per in Brazil, and Debuchy, Giroud and Koscielny all played far more than Poldi. Will these five also be missing?
Öskar
Oskar, Steve T, with respect I think it’s best to trust to those inside the club, who understand both sports fitness and player management better than any of us, make these kinds of decisions.
Personally I have no problem with giving those three (and especially Ozil and Mertesacker) a little extra time. The English season is long and grueling. And while Podolski and the BFG didn’t play as many minutes in the World Cup games as Ozil did, they were in training that whole time. They need and deserve time off from the game, time to spend with family and friends, as much as anyone else.
With the depth we have in the squad, I think we’re more than capable of getting results without those three until they’re fully ready.
COYG
Oskar – I’m not sure I understand your argument re: Poldi. You want to start our best XI. Imo, Poldi does not make our best XI.
And Arsenal are not the only team in the position of not having some of their WC performers available. Pellegrini has said 6 of his important players are still not fit enough after the WC for Sunday’s match (and I suspect other managers are in the same position). Are all managers being blackmailed as result of the WC? Or is it a consensus that players need time to rest and recover?
With all due respect – have to disagree oskar.
As stated previous above by several holics – physical and mental rest are important. Per and poldi were with the German team for the whole stretch. Emotional his and lows. Training. Traveling. Under somewhat less strain than playing every game but no picnic id think. But advocating that they get no rest? No vacay? No good.
The OG, debuchy, campell and AS comparisons to me seem inapt as tbey were not in the same situations at all.
And the notion of splitting up the germans – whats the goal there? Engendering strife? Isolating Ozil?
Man management is a bit more involved and subjective than appears from a distance. Im prepared to back le boss on this one.
While We are stronger with the Arsenal german contingent for sure. there is plenty of quality for the first few weeks of the season. Say it under your breadth even … Squad depth!?!
And not to pile on. Just saw ecg post.
And i disagree ecg. Poldi still arsenals best finisher. AW needs to manage to get the best put of him.
Homer – I agree that Poldi may be our best finisher, but I’m not sure he makes the best starting XI. I think we saw last year he makes for a great second half sub. And with the arrival of Sanchez, I suspect he may fall further down the pecking order.
ecg … my point is only that Poldi is one of the trio AW says won’t be available, regardless his WC involvement was minimal. If Campbell and Sanchez can play, why not he?
The likelihood of injury during the season seems practically inevitable these day, so I see no reason not to start with our best team.
Man management is indeed a complex business, Homer, I’ve had plenty of experience myself. And when the men start managing the managers it can become near impossible.
But it’s only an opinion, guys, no need to agree.
Öskar
Oskar – I think the difference with Campbell and Sanchez is their WC was over 1 to 2 weeks earlier than the Germans.
I agree with Oscar, they should be back by now to join their team mates. I somehow can except if Ozil still on holiday (because the minutes he played) but not Poldi.
Neuer, Lahm, Muller, Schweinsteiger, Gotze are all back and even played in a friendly against the MLS All-Stars. I don’t see any reason why Mert, Ozil and Poldi can’t do the same.
Of course I’m not Arsene, but I think he is too lenient in this case.
I’m in the Steve T camp. We haven’t done enough to challenge for the title. Arteta can’t be skipper if he’s not going to play every week and while I have a great regard for him we need a stronger player appearing alongside Ramsey.
I do understand Wenger’s caution with the Germans- more haste less speed but we may need Per in Istanbul. We have a growth record in qualifying but I don’t understand why we are seeded and then don’t play the weaker teams like Celtic and Maribor.
Good deal Re Vermaelen. Lots of respect for TV especially his demeanour during the season. Nobody goes to Barca from us and enhances their career standing but I wish him well. Nastasic would be a good replacement. I also think Frank McLintock was pretty accurate with his comments. We do need a bit more. Fingers crissed
Or crossed even!
I’m with oskar
give the work shy daisies
the lash
as they lace their boots up
over bloodied stumps
.
“Why , in my day . . . . . .”
.
“Harummmphhh”
.
.
i’m guessing working for you
was a stroll in the park
.
(in concrete boots through treacle)
.
.
“mush!!!”
.
“MUSH!!!!!!”
.
.
.
😉
Well …
Well said Oskar. And amby. And Ttg – as usual.
If nothing else … Im freaking thrilled real football is about to start.
Round fir the whole bar. On me.
Er … Hang on. Make that on Lars. His credit is WAY better.
oh
and
howdy ‘holic and ‘holics
lovely morning
.
*fries pig and egg*
Calm down, Homer. It’s only a friendly.
REAL football is still a week away.
Nonetheless
COYG
Very informative interview featuring Liam Brady; http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/the-kid-that-had-it-all-278965.html
Poor Diaby. Do wonder if a loan might be best for him, let him get match fit at another London club for 6 months or a season. Pretty hard to justify giving one of the 22 outfield spots in the Prem registered squad to someone who can’t really be counted on to start more than a few games all season, if any. Competition is fierce for places and he seems to be hanging on more through sentiment than performance at the moment. (Possible we don’t register him for the Prem and see what we can get out of him in the cups for a season?)
I think AW’s point about the Germans was more the mental exertion of a winning World Cup campaign. They need the Fifa mandated 4 weeks more than anyone else for that. After they return it is just a matter of giving them a proper pre-season, which would seem to make perfect sense – that’s why they do it. The idea we should rush Ozil or the BFG back and then play reserves if/when they get injured I can’t fathom. That is two of our most irreplaceable players. Would you rather they were fit and on form for City at home in a months time, or Leicester away two weeks earlier? (Both obviously preferable and possible.)
With the crummy international break coming up, we do have a clear program to work through before the window shuts and we can settle down with a full squad all ready to go. What do we need out of that? I’d say qualification, of course, and 7 points is par. The trip to Turkey fell nicely, would have been murder between two away games. Also means we can rotate a bit out there knowing we get them at ours to kill the tie. We should win that. Can’t take it for granted, but we are big favourites over two legs. So the league program… Would be nice to be up the front when we host City. (Another nice scheduling fillip for us, never easy to go away, especially early kick-off, after an international break.)
Lastly, can we expect any of the World Cup players already back to play 5/5 matches? Is it a risk if they do, given what AW said about the Germans and the talk from Giroud/AW after last weekend? If not, how do we cover for them and in which fixtures?
Forward
‘Squad 11’ given players we currently have? How about: Bellerin, Hayden, Miquel, Monreal — Flamini, Coq — Wilshere, Rosicky, The Panther — Sonogo.
Can’t see the back 4 getting much rest anytime soon… Or at least until we buy 🙂
My two pence on our best XI
Ospina
Debuchy, Per, Kos, Gibbs
Ramsey, Ozil, Chambers
Theo, Alexis, Ox
All teams should fear us with all these fast players, loike the Invincibles.
Morning all,
Curious, innit ?
The club appoints Shad Forsythe as the new fitness guru and everyone is very pleased, especially because he is the man who has worked with all our successful German players in their international squad.
With the Community Shield friendly tomorrow, some people are now already up in arms because our World Cup winning Germans are not all in the line-up.
Has Mr Forsythe not been consulted on what would be best for these players he has worked with in the past ?
Has Mr Wenger not previously suffered horrible Novembers following major international tournaments when our French winners, our Dutch supremos and our Brazilians had played into the later stages of summer competitions ?
We have one of the best and most experienced managers in the world, and a fitness coach who was responsible for the team that has just won the World Cup. Are there really people here who think they are refusing to play our best players in a pre-season friendly due to some peculiar perverse stubbornness ?
Is it just possible that they think Arsenal’s cause would be better served by trying to ensure those players’ bodies are properly rested and prepared for matches that actually matter through the season.
Yes, injuries do happen to all players at any time. They are not, however, the same type of injuries that result from chronic inflammation and fatigue. The latter type of injuries are, to an extent, avoidable. If that’s what the club are trying to do, good on them.
This is not, by the way, written as the result of boring “endless perspective” over the preferable “excitement of the highs and lows” of football.
It is written to try to help to clarify how the club might be trying to avoid any more excruciating, unnecessary lows when another season falls apart due to avoidable injuries.
Tomorrow’s game is an interesting but ultimately meaningless friendly, especially given the state of readiness of both teams.
Enjoy it. Let’s win it – but not stress if we don’t, eh ?
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/tomas-rosicky-interview-i-still-owe-so-much-to-arsenal-9658051.html
My crush on this man just went through the roof.
As a medic, not directly involved in sports medicine, but with a great interest in sports and physiology, I say look at what Trev and others have posted regarding preparation and rest for the professional athletes.
Otd, a main man manager you may have been, but looking at your postings you have no experience of athletes and performances. Managing exhibitions and media is akin to office work. Hard and strenuous undoubtedly – but in no way relevant to elite sports performances.
I’m looking forward to what Shad Forsyth and Dr O’Driscoll bring to this new season.
Cent @34 – what a brilliant article. Thanks so much for the link.
Holic, morning sir, and that article should be made compulsory ! 😉
Liam Brady. What. A. Player.
*chokes up*
White Hart Lane, December 1978. As they carted the injured and broken along the side of the pitch in front of us- Dad, brother Spud and I, stood spellbound as the cultured left foot@ (blog) produced more magic.
Great link, thanks Cent.
Brother Trev knows.
Oskar, I will leave you to let Mr Wenger know the error of his ways. I’m sure he will be delighted.
🙂
Has Diaby been confirmed as injured again ?
What did you mean El Puno above
Is there a Holic Fantasy Football League this season?
Please give the three Germans a break. Not only are they getting a little rest and relaxation after a taxing and short summer but they are currently engaging on a sensitive “behind the lines” spying mission as they suss out our possible Champions League opposition. Besides, we have Gnabry don’t we? Enough of a German quotient for most teams anyway. Geez.
Great interview with Brady, Cent. Everyone go read it!
And here’s this, from NBC. Worth a few laughs if you haven’t seen it already. Seems likely some Gooners had a hand in it?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iRqypM7jb5Y
Argh! Diaby out with a hip injury again 🙁
Hi Holic Everyone,
Whats the code of GoonerHolc fantasy premier league?
i wish to join it.
Thanks.
nice one cent
great brady interview
.
and
nice one various
about latecoming germans
.
i’m guessing oskar
will stand his quicksand ….erm……ground, though
and fair play to him
he didn’t ask anyone to agree with it
so everyone’s a winner
.
what a scorcher day here
hope them that likes the sun is gettin it
and them that doesn’t isn’t
.
cheerio
i want beer
🙂
Cheers, gents, I knew you’d appreciate it.
45 – Hi Aussie, apparently Diaby done some hip muscle in already 🙁
This is pretty cool:
http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article9659192.ece/alternates/w1024/Gaza.jpg
Then this:
http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article9659193.ece/alternates/w1024/gaza2.jpg
Only a game. Enjoy it.
Peace
Anyone catch Besiktas against chelski? How are they coming along in their preparation? Should we be worried?!
So much expectations and potential for us this season!
😀
nice wee touch el puno
TV5 to Barca is official. All the best Skip!
Cent. Thanks for the link and especially those Liam Brady words to the wise in that interview. Worthy of framing.
[“You’ve got to have respect for your profession and the people who make decisions in your profession. The other thing I’ve said is don’t get on the wrong side of people — you don’t have to be an arse-licker or a brown-nose, but do as you’re told and you’ll get on.”]
Good luck to Vermaelen! That’s another one Man U won’t get! 😀
Oh boy.. that means another signing for us, wonder who he is?!?!
😀
55 – Ta mate. Thoughts go out to them.
Got to think we can improve on TV given hi recent form and injury record. I reckon Chambers fills the Kosc role pretty well, wonder if we go looking for another BFG?
Add two solid young players to the base I our team and there will be no stopping us.
Forward
“First and most obviously there are fees for the signings that we have made, Sanchez (£35m), Chambers (£16m), Debuchy (£12m) and Ospina (£3m) represent a total outlay of £66m. Over two thirds of that outlay has been recouped either directly or indirectly from the sales of Fabregas (£15m from 50% of sell on fee), Vermaelen (£15m pending official completion), Vela (£12m) and Djourou (£2.5m) totalling £44.5m. Total expenditure therefore is only £21.5m which would lead us to believe that there could be more significant spending on the horizon.”
Productive Summer, written by AW, directed by IG.
Next: The Return of the Productive Summer.
61 – most reports have us down as getting 5mil for Cesc. Was 50% on any profit barca made apparently. Point holds though and I a pleasing one 🙂
Everyone won out of TV. We got 15mil for an off form permacrock. He got a 5year deal at age 28?!??! Barca got a world class defender until he is 33 to keep Song and Hleb company 🙂
Evening all. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>